kivi

kivi is a Mac voice dictation tool that lets you speak instead of type — and it actually works. The tagline says it all: you talk, kivi types. It's a lightweight app that runs on macOS 14+ and turns spoken words into text in real time, right inside whatever app you're using. Unlike the built-in dictation, kivi remembers the names and jargon you correct, adapts its tone to each app, and can even rewrite or generate text based on verbal commands. It's currently free in alpha.

The app goes beyond basic speech-to-text. You can hold a key combination (fn + Control), select any text, and tell kivi to rewrite it, reformat it, generate more content, or even answer a question. It remembers corrections for names, slang, and technical terms after you fix them once. You can also set per-app preferences — for example, write in developer-speak in Cursor, casual in Messages, and professional in Slack — all from the same voice. The demo on the site shows it fetching facts (like the landing year of Chandrayaan 3), draft replies in Mail, and even bold a number in a Slack message.

The tool is built for anyone who types a lot on a Mac: developers dictating code, writers drafting emails or notes, and professionals managing messages across multiple apps without touching the keyboard. Because it works system-wide and remembers your custom corrections, it's especially useful for people with repetitive strain injuries, heavy typists, or those who just want to go faster. The alpha is free, so it's a low-risk try for anyone curious about voice-driven workflows.